US President George W. Bush listens as he is introduced to speak about global literacy at the New York City September 18, 2006.
Photo: Reuters
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George Bush Supports Russia’s Delivery of Nuclear Fuel to Iran
U.S. President George Bush has voiced the support for Russia’s delivery of nuclear fuel to Iran’s Bushehr plant. The supplies have removed the need for Iran to proceed with its widely opposed program of uranium enrichment.
Russia launched the nuclear fuel deliveries to Bushehr facility Sunday, December 16. The fuel is being supplied under the intergovernmental agreement for constructing Bushehr Nuclear Plant under control of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The supplies will continue through February of 2008.
The shipment is effected in advance, as under the technological standards, the fuel is to be delivered six months prior to the actual technological need. Besides, Iran needs time to provide to IAEA all required data on Bushehr facility.
According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Iran has got the practical conformation that its nuclear plant will have enough fuel for proper operation. Russia's diplomats expect Tehran to make some definite steps that are required by the UN Security Council and IAEA for winning back the world trust to its civil nuclear program.
Indeed, the deliveries have removed the need for Tehran to pursue the nuclear program, as Iran won’t need its own uranium enrichment facility in the mid-term. Under the contract terms, Russia will supply fuel to Bushehr for the whole period of operation.
But Iran will hardly halt the enrichment. Tehran wants to construct 50,000 uranium enrichment centrifuges during four to five years, expecting them to produce enough fuel for a nuclear power plant.
www.kommersant.com
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